The complainant asked the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to grant public access to documents concerning maritime pollution, notably in the context of CleanSeaNet, which is a monitoring system for oil spills and vessel detection. EMSA provided the complainant with various statistical information but failed to provide him with a more detailed breakdown of feedback received following alerts sent via CleanSeaNet. The complainant turned to the Ombudsman, arguing that EMSA had previously published such information and that making such information available is in the public interest. 

The Ombudsman opened an inquiry and asked EMSA to reassess the access request with a view of releasing the information sought by the complainant.